- Home
- Dog Conditions
- Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 09/30/2015Updated: 11/24/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Aspiration Pneumonia?
Aspiration pneumonia is a condition in which the lungs become inflamed due to inhalation, or aspiration, of a foreign substance. This usually occurs after a dog vomits and inhales a portion of the regurgitated material, and it happens more commonly in young puppies. Preventing aspiration pneumonia is easier than treating it, but if notice your dog having difficulty breathing soon after vomiting, contact a veterinarian right away.
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when a dog inhales a foreign substance, leading to a bacterial infection in the respiratory tract. The severity and sharpness of aspiration pneumonia depends on the extent of the inflammation, as well as on any underlying conditions that may have caused the vomiting. Aspiration pneumonia can be life-threatening, especially if it is severe enough to restrict the flow of oxygen.Aspiration Pneumonia Average Cost
From 114 quotes ranging from $300 - $6,000
Average Cost
$600
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
The signs of aspiration pneumonia include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Tachypnea, or rapid breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Wheezing or coughing
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Causes of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
In the majority of cases, pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when a dog inhales fluid or other materials into the respiratory tract, leading to inflammation in the airways. Though a dog may inhale foreign material when vomiting, the act of vomiting itself does not directly lead to aspiration pneumonia. The condition only occurs when regurgitated materials are inhaled, which may be made more likely by a variety of reasons, including:
- Disease, such as laryngeal paralysis or inflammation of the esophagus
- Deformity, such as a cleft palate
- General anesthesia
- Presence of a feeding tube
Aspiration pneumonia is easier to prevent than to treat. Most veterinarians will recommend that a dog fasts prior to surgery to minimize the risk of regurgitation during anesthesia. When administrating oral medication, make sure that the medicine is given only at the speed that your dog can swallow to prevent inhalation into the respiratory tract. Young puppies, as well as dogs that are fed with a feeding tube, are at higher risk of developing the condition.
Diagnosis of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
When you bring your dog to the veterinarian, be prepared to provide information about your dog’s signs and recent activity. The veterinarian will need a complete history in order to better diagnosis your dog’s condition. If your dog has vomited or regurgitated recently, let the veterinarian know, as many of the clinical signs associated with aspiration pneumonia are nonspecific. Knowing that your dog may have inhaled a foreign substance will help determine the necessity of a chest radiograph.
The veterinarian may perform several tests, including a physical examination and blood work, as part of the initial visit. This may help eliminate the possibility of other conditions, though aspiration pneumonia itself is typically diagnosed with thoracic radiography. A chest X-ray can confirm the presence of inflammation in the lungs. If your dog is stable enough, fluid can be taken from the lungs with a tracheal wash or endotracheal lavage, which will identify the bacteria present in the respiratory tract.
Treatment of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
Treatment for aspiration pneumonia contains several components, the majority of which are focused more on support than on addressing the condition itself. Antibiotics will be administered to fight any bacterial infection present, with broad spectrum medication given in cases where a culture could not be obtained. Depending on your dog’s condition, the veterinarian may recommend different treatment, with potential components including:
- Fluid therapy - Proper hydration keeps the airway moist and encourages coughing, which helps remove pus and mucus from the respiratory tract.
- Oxygen - In more severe cases, oxygen therapy may be needed to ensure that your dog is receiving enough air.
In some cases, your dog will need to be hospitalized until he is stable enough to transition to homecare. If there is an underlying cause for the aspiration pneumonia, such as a cleft palate or a tumor, that condition will also need to be addressed in order to prevent a reoccurrence of pneumonia. The prognosis for aspiration pneumonia is generally good but varies depending on the cause of the vomiting.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
Once your dog has been released from the hospital, you will need to keep him quiet and calm during the recovery period. Be sure to outfit an area for your dog to rest comfortably, and make sure he has access to fresh water. You will need to monitor your dog’s cough, as well as watch for any changes in other clinical signs.
Depending on the extent of the pneumonia, you may need to bring your dog back to the veterinarian for a follow-up exam. The veterinarian may wish to conduct another chest radiograph to ensure that the inflammation is resolving and that your dog is recovering properly. If the vomiting was caused by an underlying condition, you might need to address the cause so that the aspiration pneumonia does not recur.
Aspiration pneumonia in dogs can be expensive to treat. To protect your dog and yourself in case of an accident or emergency, start searching for pet insurance today. Wag!’s pet insurance comparison tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Cost of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
Each case of aspiration pneumonia is different as each can have a different cause. If there are any underlying causes of the vomiting (i.e. cleft palate, tumor etc.) then the cause would be treated as well. The veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics in order to treat the aspiration pneumonia if infection presents itself. Antibiotics can cost anywhere between $50 and $150. Fluid therapy may be administered if your dog is severely dehydrated from the vomiting. Your dog may also need oxygen support which can cost $120 to $140. The veterinarian may need to hospitalize your dog for observation and to ensure your dog is progressing. If your dog is hospitalized, the total cost of the above treatment options can run between $500 and $2000. However, without knowing the cause, it is difficult to know the complete total cost.
Aspiration Pneumonia Average Cost
From 114 quotes ranging from $300 - $6,000
Average Cost
$600
Top
Aspiration Pneumonia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Great Dane
not chosen yet
2 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Breathing Difficulty
Rough Breathing
Hello I have a white great dane. he is 2 weeks old and his breathing is horrid. he was diagnosed with pneumonia. two of his brothers died. they asperated on milk
Jan. 19, 2018
0 Recommendations
If the puppy has pneumonia and his littermates died of aspiration pneumonia I would be very cautious of soft palate defects which would allow milk to pass up into the nasal cavity and to be aspirated. If a soft palate defect is found you should be tube feeding the puppy until he is old enough for surgery. You should discuss this with your Veterinarian to determine if the cause of the pneumonia is aspiration and to check the integrity of the palate. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Jan. 19, 2018
we checked for cleft palate, none of them had it. we dont know what happend
Jan. 19, 2018
not chosen yet's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
Blue Heeler
Daisy
4 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fever
Coughing
Hi. My puppy has aspiration pneumonia and we took her to the vet today and they released her and also gave us all the antibiotics she will need to take, but just a few hours ago she sat up and then proceeded to fall over and pass out. I assumed she is dehydrated bc she will barely drink water. So we started to use a syringe and force her to drink water. How often should we do this, and she won’t eat either. How should we proceed with getting her to eat?
Jan. 3, 2018
0 Recommendations
Your Veterinarian should have noticed if she was dehydrated or not during the physical examination; you should check hydration by checking the capillary refill time by pressing on the gum until it turns white and then letting go, it should refill in two seconds or less - any longer and she will be dehydrated. When using a syringe, you should give water slowly so that Daisy doesn’t choke on the water or aspirate any; you could try mixing some smooth wet food with water and administering with a syringe but water is more important. Any concerns, return to your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Jan. 3, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Chihuahua
Ted
3 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My 12 lb chihuahua had aspiration pneumonia almost two weeks ago. Since then it has been a battle to get him to drink plain water from a bowl. I’ve been adding a large amount of water to his food which he is eating and drinking all of but he will not drink just plain water? He is still eating and urinating as normal. Should I be worried?
Dec. 14, 2017
1 Recommendations
If Ted is getting enough water from his food, he won’t drink from his bowl; reduce the quantity of water mixed with his food slowly and see if he starts drinking from the water bowl. Dogs will only drink because they are thirst not at 4pm each day (like me and my tea). As long as Ted is staying hydrated, that is the main thing. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 14, 2017
Thank you.
Dec. 14, 2017
Ted's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
Husky Rottweiler
Ziba
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pneumonia
December 1st I was involved in a car accident where my dog was in the back seat as we were rear ended by someone going about 60 mph while we were at a complete stop. My 4 year old Husky Rottweiler broke her humerus in 5 places and had a 6 hour surgery with outside hardware to try and see if it can hold and heal. She developed pneumonia and was kept at the vet for two nights. She had been home for two nights and is suppose to return on Monday for a check up but I'm not to sure how this is affecting her. She's been through shock, trauma, and separation anxiety for almost a week- has barely ate anything. I can only get her to eat bread and peanut butter with her medicine. She has had this orange/red discharge coming from her nose ever since we started using the meds since they had her on fluids. I'm extremely concerned but the emergency vet will be another 1,000 on top of the 8700 we've spent. I'm really concerned as to what this could mean and it's extremely complicated situation so she is extremely Sensitive right now. Her breathing is very noticeable and she gets up ever now and then panting but I am not sure if that is from pain. Please any and all advice is needed right now.
Dec. 10, 2017
0 Recommendations
Most likely Ziba is panting from pain, the level of trauma and surgery will be painful for a while but any pain medications given should be addressing that; I would keep her calm and still and everything of hers around in one place surrounding her (food, water, bed etc…) so she doesn’t need to move except to do her business. Nasal discharge may be caused by infection, but Ziba should be on antibiotics anyway. If you are concerned or Ziba is having difficulty breathing you should visit the Emergency Veterinarian, otherwise your regular Veterinarian Monday morning. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 10, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Yorkie Pin
Miles
9 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing
I was giving My 9 month old yorkie mix, Miles, his liquid worming medicine (1 ml) and he fought me and is now coughing. I'm worried it got into his lungs. He has been playing and is now sleeping but he is still occasionally coughing. Should I be worried and what can I do at home to avoid a emergency vet bill?
Dec. 5, 2017
0 Recommendations
For the time being I would keep an eye on Miles to see if the cough improves as it may have just irritated the larynx since aspiration of foreign material is more irritating leading to a more severe regular cough. If Miles still has a cough in the morning, you should visit your regular Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 5, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Aspiration Pneumonia Average Cost
From 114 quotes ranging from $300 - $6,000
Average Cost
$600
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
